Dozens Arrested During First Week Of Op Dragonfly

Since the start of Operation Dragonfly on 6 June, Sussex Police have arrested 45 drivers on suspicion of drink driving.

To date, 29 of these have been charged with offences and have court dates set.

Among those charged are:

Jennifer Hazlewood from Eastbourne Road, Polegate. She was arrested in Hailsham Road, Polegate on 7 June and charged with driving with 40mg of alcohol per 100ml of breath in her system. The 67-year-old, who’s retired, is due to appear before Hastings Magistrates' Court on 22 June.

John Rudwick from Court Road, Eastbourne was arrested in Kingfisher Drive, Langney on 11 June and charged with being in charge of a vehicle with 67mg of alcohol per 100ml of breath in his system. The 50-year-old refuse worker, is due to appear before Hastings Magistrates' Court on 29 June.

Tadeusz Fijalkowski, of no fixed address, was arrested in Seaside Road, Eastbourne, on 12 June and charged with driving with 102mg of alcohol per 100ml of breath in his system. The 56-year-old, who’s unemployed, is due to appear before Hastings Magistrates' Court on 29 June.

A total of 45 motorists were also arrested on suspicion of drink or drug-related driving offences in Sussex in the first seven days of the Christmas 2015 campaign, which started on 1 December.

Chief Inspector Phil Nicholas, of the Surrey and Sussex Police Roads Policing Unit, said: "Unfortunately, no matter what time of year it is, drink and drug-driving is a recurring problem. These statistics highlight the fact that whatever the weather, a lot of people still continue to take risks on the roads in Sussex.

"People associate summer with longer hours and social events such as parties and barbecues, but there's no specific explanation as to why we have so many offenders at this time of year. The message is and always has been clear – drink or drive; never both.

"We have a zero tolerance approach towards drink and drug-driving, and anyone caught driving while above the legal limit of drink or drugs will be dealt with swiftly and robustly.”

People in Sussex can text officers on 65999 with the details of people they suspect of drink or drug driving or go online.

You can also contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

If you know someone is driving while over the limit or after taking drugs, call 999.